Sailing Rig

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an inflatable rig for wind-powered sports equipment and a sailing rig set comprising such rigs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a sailing rig and to a sailing rig set.

Description of Related Art

A sailing rig of this type may be used for a SUP, a windsurfing board, a sailing boat or for any sports object being moved by wind force.

Previously known rigs usually have had a mast made from metal or highly rigid plastic to which the luff of the sail is fastened. In windsurfing rigs the sail in addition includes a mast sleeve into which the tapered mast is inserted.

In the case of a windsurfing rig the sail is stretched by means of a wishbone fastened to the mast via a wishbone fitting and via which the clew of the sail may be tensioned via a tackle so as to trim the sail in the desired manner.

Premium SUP boards are frequently designed to include receipts for a mast foot so that the afore-described windsurfing rigs may also be attached to a SUP board in order to teach a beginner how to windsurf and, in so doing, to utilize the stability of a SUP board.

Rigging of said aerodynamically optimized rigs requires relatively long experience and moreover said rigs are relatively expensive due to the high-class materials so that the use in SUP boards is rather rare. It is a further drawback of such windsurfing rigs that they are comparatively heavy and in the case of fall are floating relatively deeply in the water so that considerable forces are necessary to pull the rig out of the water and at the same time to keep standing on the windsurfing board. It is another drawback that considerable storage space is required for storing the mast, the wishbone and the sail so that taking along the rig is difficult.

From DE 20 2013 008 701 U1 an inflatable surf sail is known in which the mast and a wishbone comprising two wishbone bars is designed to be inflatable. Thus, the basic structure corresponds to that of conventional solutions. Then the sail is held at the wishbone end fitting and at the mast. For stiffening the respective convexly curved wishbone bars joined at their end fittings, said bars are provided at their inside with respective aluminum tubes which are connected via a rope. Said rope is guided inside a tube extending through the sail between the wishbone bars.

Such structure is very complex, in addition the sail shape is aerodynamically adverse due to the transversely extending tube. Moreover, the additional stiffening elements prevent compact folding.

In DE-OS 28 31 766 an inflatable sail is disclosed in which one or more air chambers form a mast and a cross strut arranged transversely thereto which jointly stretch a sail. At a foot-side end portion of the mast a seat for fastening a mast foot is formed.

It is a drawback of this solution that the air chambers are configured to have a comparatively thin cross-section and thus the rig is not sufficiently stiff to be capable of being used even at higher wind speeds.

In addition, in both afore-described solutions a seat for detachably fastening a mast foot has to be integrated into the air chamber forming the mast. The connection of said seat to the air chamber can only be realized with great expenditure in terms of device and assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In contrast to this, the object underlying the invention is to provide a simply structured sailing rig of sufficient stability and easy handling.

In accordance with the invention, the sailing rig includes a mast strut and a cross strut by which a sail may be extended. At least one of said struts is designed to be inflatable. This mode of construction allows constructing the sailing rig in an extremely simple manner, as the respective strut or struts merely have to be inflated. Both the structure and the handling is very easy due to the inflatable strut, wherein the latter also ensures that the rig adopts a high floating position and thus hauling the same out of the water is definitely facilitated.

Accordingly, both the mast strut and the cross strut are preferably designed to be inflatable. This variation offers the great advantage that trimming of the sail is practically carried out by inflating the struts, wherein the sail tension is variably adjustable by the respective filling pressure.

According to the invention, the mast foot is preferably tightly connected to the mast strut so that a unit consisting of the actual sail, the struts thereof and the mast foot is formed and no additional component has to be attached. The connection of such mast foot to an inflatable mast strut is by far simpler than a variant in which the mast foot is detachably attached to the mast—such as in conventional windsurfing rigs—, as then a complex mast foot seat has to be provided.

In one embodiment of the invention, the mast foot is fastened via an adapter plate being attached to an end face of the mast strut. An appropriate configuration of said end face area of the mast strut and of the adapter plate ensures reliable connection.

The mast foot may be configured in a conventional manner with the joint being a so-called power joint.

In accordance with the invention, the sail or the sail panels (sail segments) thereof is/are connected substantially away from the mast toward the end of the cross strut to the latter. This connection may be made, for example, by sewing or via beadings. Hence, according to the invention, thus merely one cross strut is provided for stretching the sail together with the mast. This is a substantial difference from conventional solutions in which a wishbone having two wishbone bars transversely to the mast which allows shifting of the sail is used. According to the invention, said shifting of the sail is enabled by the shaping of the cross strut.

Said cross strut may have an approximately circular cross-section, wherein the diameter may change along the length of the cross strut. Basically, also other cross-sectional profiles may be used, however, to optimize the sailing rig with respect to aerodynamics and/or strength.

It is basically also possible to compose said cross strut of two half profiles which are attached on both sides to the sail so that a continuous sail area can be used.

The sail may be optimally designed in terms of aerodynamics, when the mast strut is configured to have a sail top strut which is inclined with respect to the mast axis and thus permits to tilt the sail top. Said sail top strut may be attached to the mast strut or else may be integrated in the same.

The sail top strut is preferably bent obliquely with respect to the connecting area of the mast strut.

The handling of the sailing rig may be further simplified when all struts can be filled by means of a one-pump system, as it is called. That is to say that all struts are pneumatically interconnected via hoses, channels or the like and can be filled via one single valve.

Said struts are preferably in the form of tubes the longitudinal and cross profiles of which are selected with respect to the aerodynamics of the sail so that the latter withstands even higher wind speeds. Profiling of the tubes allows for an optimum design of the leading profile so that early gliding of the respective board is ensured.

In one embodiment of the invention, at the outer periphery of the cross strut holding means by which the user can hold the rig or may suspend a harness or the like are arranged on both sides.

Said holding means may be straps, profile members or the like, for example.

In one embodiment of the invention, the mast strut is tilted toward the cross strut viewed from the foot and from the top so that the leading edge is curved or slightly inclined in V-shape.

The design of the sailing rig is especially simple when the sail is permanently fastened to the struts in a suitable manner. This may be performed, in a way similar to a kite, by bonding, sewing with the struts. It is also imaginable to connect the sail via appropriate releasable connecting elements, for example Velcro fasteners, zip fasteners or the like.

The following further developments may equally form the subject matter of dependent or independent claims.

In accordance with a further development, the sailing rig is made available in different sizes as sailing rig set. For varying the rig size, especially the height of the cross strut, i.e. the distance thereof from the mast foot, can be varied depending on the body size of the user. As an ideal position for a wishbone of a conventional rig an area between the forehead and the breast height has turned out to be especially suited. Accordingly, the sailing rig set according to the invention is designed so that users of different body size may choose a position of the cross strut (wishbone) which is ideal for them.

Applicant reserves the right to direct separate sets of claims to the sailing rig set and/or the following aspects.

The mast strut is preferably inclined approximately in V-shape relative to the cross strut.

In the connecting area of the cross strut to the mast strut the latter may be approximately cylindrical.

End portions of the cross strut and the mast strut may be extended beyond the sail.

In the connecting area of the cross strut, the mast strut may be approximately cylindrical. Starting from this preferably cylindrical area, the mast strut may be tapered toward the sail top and/or toward the mast foot.

In its mid area, the cross strut may be configured to have the maximum diameter so that it is tapered toward the mast strut and toward the intersection of the leach and the foot.

On a flow side of the mast strut preferably hauling handles are provided. Due to the high floating position of the sailing rig hauling is very easy so that the use of a “Startschot” (uphaul) can be dispensed with, as the hauling handles arranged on the front side of the mast strut are sufficient to pull the sailing rig out of the water with minimum effort.

A sailing top strut may be inclined relative to the mast strut. The mast strut may also be continuously curved, however. In this case, the bent area of the mast strut may be formed integrally with the same or may be configured by a sail top strut connected to the mast strut.

In addition to the sail top strut and the cross strut, further sail batten type struts may be provided.

The angle of attack of the sail top strut may be varied depending on the sail size.

For forming a sailing rig set (S, M, L, . . . ), apart from the height position of the cross strut, also the angle of attack of the sail top strut may be varied so as to provide an adaptation to the wind speed, on the one hand, and a sailing rig optimal for each body size, on the other hand, so that the latter can also be used for instruction purposes.

Applicant reserves the right to direct a claim to the fact that the sailing rig sizes of the sailing rig set are determined by the height position of the cross strut, the angle of attack of the sail top strut and the total length of the mast strut and the cross strut. Sailing rigs in stepped sizes having a predetermined position of the cross strut or a wishbone have not been known so far.

The dimensions of the mast strut and the cross strut mentioned in the concrete description may equally be made the subject matter of claims.

For preventing the mast foot side area of the mast strut from being damaged, the latter is designed to include reinforcements/protective elements, especially in the seam area.

Discharge openings may be provided, preferably in the sail, for assisting the discharge of water.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and the accompanying drawing. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be illustrated in detail hereinafter by way of schematic drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sailing rig according to the invention for a windsurfing or SUP board;

FIG. 2 is a volume model of the line drawing according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed representation of a cross strut of the sailing rig from FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a variant of the sailing rig according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the sailing rig according to FIG. 4 viewed in the direction of flow;

FIG. 6 is a detail of a mast strut of the sailing rig according to FIG. 4 comprising a drain valve 56 and a filling valve 54;

FIG. 7 shows an end portion of a cross strut of the sailing rig according to FIG. 4 being extended beyond the sail;

FIG. 8 shows a mast foot side end portion of the mast strut according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a detail of the cross strut;

FIG. 10 is a partial representation of the sailing rig according to FIG. 4 and

FIGS. 11 to 20 show further variants of the sailing rig according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to FIGS. 1 and 2 the sailing rig 1 comprises a sail 2 stretched by means of a mast strut 4, a cross strut 6 and a sail top strut 8. All struts 4, 6, 8 are in the form of tubes. Such tubes usually include an airtight bladder enclosed by a robust outer skin visible in the view. Filling of the tubes is carried out by one or more valves 10. In the shown embodiment, a so-called one-pump system is realized in which all struts are pneumatically interconnected. In the shown embodiment, the pneumatic connection of the cross strut 6 to the mast strut 4 is made, for example, via a hose 12 configured to include a clamp 14 so that the two air volumes can be blocked against each other and thus the rig remains floatable even in the case of leakage. In the shown embodiment, the sail top strut 8 is formed integrally with the mast strut 4, wherein in the transitional area of the two tube portions forming said structure a reinforced seam 16 is provided at the visible outer skin. Seams 16 reinforced in this way are provided also at other highly loaded areas. The bladder is configured in an appropriate manner. In the connecting area of the cross strut 6 to the mast strut 4 a reinforcement 22 is equally arranged on said area. The sail areas 2 above and below the cross strut 6 may be configured to be both flat and profiled.

The sail 2 may be composed of several panels which are preferably connected to the struts 4, 6, 8 by sewing or bonding. The connecting plane preferably extends approximately along a center plane of the struts 4, 6, 8. This is explained by way of the detailed section according to FIG. 1a . In this sectional view, the approximately circular cross-section of the cross strut 6 is visible in which part of the afore-mentioned bladder 30 adapted to be filled via the valve 10 is received. According to FIG. 1a , the sail area of the sail panels 2 a, 2 b at the top and at the bottom in FIG. 1a extends approximately in the center plane 32 of the cross-strut 6 indicated by dash-dotted lines. In other words, the two sail panels 2 a, 2 b are fastened approximately centrally to the cross strut 6. This fastening is preferably performed by bonding or sewing, wherein in the embodiment according to FIG. 1a reinforcements 34 in the form of beadings are provided which permit optimum connection between the sail 2 and the cross strut 6. The connection of the sail 2 to the mast strut 4 and the sail top strut 8 is made correspondingly.

On principle, it is also possible to compose the cross strut 6 of two half profiles which are attached to both sides of the sail 2. As a matter of course, also cross-sections deviating from the circular cross-sectional shape can be realized. The course of the profile is chosen so that the desired sail profile may be imparted to the sail during use, wherein said sail profile also depends on the filling pressure of the struts, of course. Moreover, the profile of the cross strut is designed with respect to the optimum stiffening of the rig.

Basically, it is also possible to retain the sail at the cross strut only in portions or in a sliding manner so that the sail profile is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the cross struts via appropriate trimming means.

On a foot-side end portion of the mast strut 4 a seat for an indicated mast foot 18 is provided. The latter is attached to the seat and thus remains at the sailing rig.

The rig 2 is stabilized by the filling pressure which may be within the range of from 0.5 to 2 bars, wherein the filling pressure inter alia also defines the sail trim, as afore-mentioned. Basically, also additional means may be provided for trimming the sail (e.g. sail battens as in the case of a modern windsurfing sail).

In the shown embodiment, the mast strut 4 is slightly tilted in V-shape toward the cross strut 4—which allows to achieve the optimum bending line of a mast of a windsurfing rig.

The cross-section of the struts 4, 6, 8 is equally optimized in the aerodynamic respect and with respect to strength. In the shown embodiment, according to FIGS. 1 and 2 the diameter D of the mast strut 4 is increased toward the cross strut 6, with the mast strut 4 having a cylindrical design in the connecting area of the cross strut 6. This area is provided with the reference numeral 36 in FIG. 1. The foot-side diameter and the sail top side diameter of the mast strut 4 and, resp., of the sail top strut 8 are formed to be definitely smaller than the maximum cross-section in the area of the connection of the cross strut 6. The latter has its maximum diameter d approximately in the mid area and is tapered toward the leach of the sail 2 and, resp., toward the connection to the mast strut 4.

For holding the sail 2 a holding means 20 is provided approximately in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cross strut on both sides. According to FIG. 3, said holding means 20 may have, for example, a stable strap 26 on which plural holding straps 24 a, 24 b, 24 c are retained. Said holding straps 24 may be made of straps or the like or in a relatively rigid manner such as a trapeze rope. The reinforcement may be configured so that the holding straps 24 may be changed in place. As a matter of course, such holding means 20 is configured, as in a surfing rig, on both sides of the cross strut 6. Alternatively, the holding means 20 may also be formed by a profile member or the like which is attached to the stable outer skin of the cross strut 6. Said holding means 20 allows holding the sailing rig 1 or else suspending a trapeze. The cross-sectional course of the tubes is clearly evident in the volume model according to FIG. 2. As explained, the mast strut 4, the sail top strut 8 and the cross strut 6 are tapered toward their end portions so that a statically stable supporting structure of optimum aerodynamics is formed.

As mentioned in the beginning, the sailing rig 1 is by no means limited to the use in SUP or windsurfing boards but may also be generally used in sailing sports, for canoes, for beach sailers, land boards etc.

By discharging air via the central valve 10 or a ventilation valve 56 (cf. FIG. 6) air may be discharged from the holding structure so that the sailing rig including the sail fastened thereto may be stored in minimum space. This allows, for example, taking along the sailing rig 1 for example with a SUP and inflate the same, where needed.

At the end portions of the mast strut 4 and the cross strut 6 reinforcements 28 are provided for protection against damage.

For inflation, a conventional kite or SUP pump may be employed.

By way of the FIGS. 4 to 10 a variant of the afore-described sailing rig shall be explained.

In the variant shown in FIG. 4 the leach 38 and the foot 40 terminate at a distance from the respective end portion of the mast strut 4 and, resp., the cross strut 6. In other words, an end portion 42 of the cross strut and a mast top 44 of the mast strut 4 are extended beyond the respective leach and thus protect the sail against damage when it is dragged over the ground.

In the representation according to FIG. 4, also the mast foot 18 being integrated in the sailing rig 1 and being articulated and thus enabling the sailing rig 1 to be bent with respect to the board surface or the like is clearly visible. The basic structure of said mast foot 18 corresponds to that of a conventional mast foot, with a difference existing in the fact, however, that in the case of surfing rigs and the like the mast foot 18 is mounted on the board side and is then inserted in the mast, whereas in the sailing rig 1 according to the invention it is integrated in the latter.

For facilitating hauling the sail 2 out of the water hauling handles 46, 48 are provided at the surface of flow of the mast strut 4 shown in FIG. 5. The topside handle 46 in FIGS. 4 and 5 is provided approximately in extension of the cross strut 6. The hauling handle 48 located there beneath is arranged in the area between the mast foot 18 and the topside hauling handle 46. As is especially resulting from the representation in FIG. 5, the handles are not fastened centrally on the seam 50 of the mast strut 4 but are tilted relative thereto, with one handle end portion being arranged on the left from the seam and the other end portion being arranged on the right from the seam 52—thus the handles 46, 48 so-to-speak cross the seam 52 which in turn is protected against wear by means of a Kevlar strip or the like.

FIG. 6 illustrates the valve arrangement of the embodiment according to FIG. 4 in an enlarged representation. In this embodiment, a comparatively large filling valve 54 is arranged at the area of the mast strut 4 located below the cross strut 6 (FIG. 4). Distanced therefrom and offset towards the mast foot 18 a drain valve 56 is provided. The filling valve 54 is configured as a check valve, wherein a valve nozzle is designed as bayonet or the like for a conventional kite or SUP pump. The drain valve 56 has a very simple design in the way of an air mattress valve and is opened for draining and closed during inflation. For securing a Velcro fastener is provided.

In FIG. 7 the end portion 42 of the cross strut is shown. As explained above, said end portion 42 is extended beyond the two leaches and thus protects the sail from damage. At the end portions of the mast and cross struts—as afore-mentioned—reinforcements 28 are arranged for protection from damage.

FIG. 8 illustrates the mast foot side end portion of the mast strut 4. The latter continues approximately in extension of the sail luff 58. The flow-side portion of the mast strut 4 is inclined toward the mast foot 18 so that, accordingly, the mast foot side end portion of the mast strut 4 is tapered. The mast foot 18 is attached to the end face of the tapered mast strut 4 via an adapter plate 60. Said adapter plate 60 is connected to the appropriately formed end face of the mast strut 4. This connection may be made by bonding, welding, sewing or any other connection technique. In the shown embodiment, the mast strut is reinforced in this connecting area so that the adapter plate is extensively supported. The adapter plate 60 is then tapered in the direction of the virtual mast foot 18. In this area the adapter plate 60 supports the virtual mast foot joint being formed by an elastically deflectable plastic member (power joint). Said joint is provided with reference numeral 62. It supports, in turn, a base 64 which is operatively connected to a mast foot screw 66 being inserted in a board-side mast foot seat in a conventional manner.

As is further visible in FIG. 8, the seams and especially the seams in the tapered area of the mast strut 4 are covered by a protective strip 68, 70 made from an abrasion-resistant material, for example Kevlar or any other plastic material. Since the surfer usually supports him-/herself during maneuvers in this area on the mast foot, the mast strut 4, especially the seams thereof, thus is/are reliably protected from damage via said shield 68, 70.

The maximum diameter of the adapter plate 60 corresponds to the diameter of the mast foot side end portion of the mast strut 4, said diameter being selected with respect to the optimum support.

As a matter of course, in this area also further reinforcements may be provided so as to transmit the forces between the mast foot and the virtual rig and to protect the virtual tube from damage.

The tight connection of the mast foot 18 to the sailing rig constitutes a difference from conventional solutions in which the mast foot always is a separate component which is attached to the rig, for example a surfing rig.

In the representation according to FIG. 9, the three loop-shaped holding means 24 a, 24 b, 24 c are shown all of which are arranged approximately in the half of the longitudinal extension of the cross strut 6 which is orientated toward the mast strut 4. The front holding strap 24 a is arranged in the connecting area of the cross strut 6 to the mast strut 4. The two other holding straps 24 b, 24 c are fastened to the cross strut 6 at a distance therefrom. The diameter and the geometry of the holding straps 24 are designed in respect of optimum operability and fatigue-free guiding of the rig.

In order to prevent the sail panels 2 a, 2 b from being overloaded when being hauled out of the water and moreover to provide sort of a “water drain” the two sail panels 2 a, 2 b are cut, according to the representation in FIG. 9, so that respective discharge openings 72, 74 are maintained in the transition area between the cross strut 6 and the mast strut 4. Said two discharge openings 72, 74 are also visible in the representation according to FIG. 10. Accordingly, said discharge openings 72, 74 are arranged in the sail 2 in the area of the cylindrical portion 36 of the mast strut. Said cylindrical portion 36 ensures optimum connection of the cross strut 6 which—as afore-mentioned—has its maximum diameter in the area between the end portion 42 and the cylindrical portion 36 of the mast strut 4. This area is located approximately in the area between the two holding straps 24 b, 24 c. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 10, a sail window 76 is further provided at the upper sail panel 2 a.

Another peculiarity of the sailing rig 1 according to the invention resides in the fact that the manufacturer has different rig sizes on offer which are optimized, inter alia, also with respect to the size and the weight of the user. Of course, the rigs then may also be selected depending on the wind speed to be expected.

As afore-explained, the height H (cf FIG. 1) of the cross strut 6 may be varied with respect to the mast foot or the deck of the board so as to adapt the sailing rig to different body sizes. Only in the second instance is the sail area adapted to different wind speeds. Accordingly, the sail area may be varied by varying the length of the mast strut 4 and/or the length of the sail top strut 6 and, resp., of the angle of attack of the sail top strut 6. It is also possible to design plural sail sizes for each cross strut height H.

The total height of the rig is within the range of from 4.50 to 3.00 m. The length (width) of the cross strut 6 may be within the range of from 1.20 to 2.50 m. The diameter of the cross strut 6 in the cylindrical portion 36 preferably ranges approximately from 15 cm to 30 cm. The maximum diameter d of the cross strut 6 is equally within said range or is slightly smaller.

Further variants of the sailing rig 1 are illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 20.

FIG. 11 shows a variant of the afore-described embodiments. In this representation, the cylindrical portion 36 of the mast strut 4 is clearly visible. The cross strut 6 is connected in this area, with said connection being made approximately in the middle of the cylindrical portion 36. In its central area the cross strut 6 has the maximum diameter d which may be slightly smaller than the diameter D of the portion 36.

The three holding straps 24 a, 24 b, 24 c in this embodiment are approximately trapezoidal. Any other suitable shape can be materialized, of course. The outer skin of the holding straps may be covered by an elastic material such as foam or neoprene for improved comfort. In this embodiment, too, the holding straps 24 are arranged in the half of the longitudinal extension of the cross strut 6 which faces the mast strut 4. In the representation according to FIG. 11, also the two discharge openings 72, 74 are indicated which are formed in the sail 2 in the connecting area of the cross strut 6 and the mast strut 4. The two hauling handles 46, 48 facilitate lifting of the sailing rig 1, although the latter constantly adopts a high floating position due to the inflatable struts. The hauling handle 46 is arranged level with the cross strut.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 the sail top strut 8 is inclined at a comparatively large angle α with the mast strut 4. Said angle of inclination a may be varied as a function of the sail area and the residual rig geometry.

Indicated in broken lines in FIG. 11 are also the transition areas between the sail top strut 8 and the upper part—in FIG. 11—of the mast strut 4 as well as the transition areas between the cylindrical portion 36 and the adjacent areas of the mast strut 4.

In these transition areas indicated in broken lines seams may be configured between the individual segments of the outer skin or a bonding of the bladder of the tubes, for example.

As explained already in the foregoing, the mast strut 4 is inclined approximately in V-shape, with the angle of attack 13 (with the vertical) of the area of the mast strut 4 located above the cross strut 6 being smaller than the angle of attack a of the sail top strut 8. The angle of attack y of the area of the mast strut 4 located below the cross strut 6 relative to the vertical (axis of the cylindrical portion 86) in turn is smaller than the angles of attack a and R.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment in which the angle of attack a is definitely smaller than in the afore-described embodiment so that in the top area the sail extends somewhat more tapered having a smaller surface area.

FIG. 13 shows a contrary design in which a very full top is obtained by increasing the angle of attack a in contrast to the embodiments according to FIGS. 11 and 12.

In the afore-described embodiments, the sail top strut 8 is angled with respect to the mast strut. FIG. 14 illustrates a variant in which the sail top strut 8 is practically integrated in the extension of the mast strut 4 so that a continuous curvature is brought about. Said luff curvature is closest to those of conventional surfing rigs.

FIG. 15 illustrates a variation in which, in addition to the sail top strut 8 and to the cross strut 6, further struts 78, 80, 82 are provided which are equally inflatable or else may be formed by inserted sail battens or the like. In the case that the struts 78, 80, 82 may be inflatable, they are preferably also connected to the one-pump system and may be adapted to be shut off by means of inherent valves with respect to the mast strut 4, where necessary.

As a matter of course, for stabilizing the sail shape also more or fewer struts or sail battens can be used, as shown in FIG. 15. It is also possible to provide short sail battens in the leach area which are made from elastic material and need not be removed when rolling/storing the surfing rig.

FIG. 16 shows a variation of the embodiment according to FIG. 4 in which the mast top 44 and the end portion of the cross strut 42 are extended beyond the leach 38 and, resp., the foot 40 so as to protect the sail. The residual geometry substantially corresponds to the embodiment according to FIG. 11.

FIG. 17 illustrates the variation comprising an extended mast top 33 and, resp., end portion 42 (cross strut 4) in the mode according to FIG. 12 having a smaller angle of attack. Correspondingly, each of the FIGS. 18, 19, 20 shows an embodiment corresponding to FIGS. 13, 14 and, resp., 15, wherein in each case the mast top 44 and, resp., the end portion 42 of the cross strut 6 are extended beyond the leach 38 and the foot 40.

The invention relates to an inflatable rig for wind-powered sports equipment and to a sailing rig set comprising such rigs.

Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the above invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the underlying inventive concept. 

1. A sailing rig comprising: a mast strut and at least one cross strut for stretching a sail, wherein the struts are designed to be inflatable, comprising a mast foot tightly fastened to the mast strut.
 2. The sailing rig according to claim 1, wherein an adapter plate of a mast foot is provided at a mast foot side end portion of the mast strut.
 3. The sailing rig according to claim 2, wherein the adapter plate is tapered from the mast foot side end portion of the mast strut toward a joint.
 4. The sailing rig according to claim 1, wherein the sail, preferably sail panels of the sail, are fastened approximately along a center plane of the cross strut.
 5. The sailing rig according to claim 1, comprising an inclined sail top strut which is connected to or formed integrally with the mast strut.
 6. The sailing rig according to claim 1, wherein the struts are adapted to be filled by means of plural valves or a one-pump system.
 7. The sailing rig according to claim 1, wherein the struts are formed by tubes having predetermined longitudinal and cross profiles.
 8. The sailing rig according to claim 2, wherein a seat for the mast foot is formed at the mast strut.
 9. The sailing rig according to claim 1, wherein holding means are provided on both sides of the cross strut.
 10. The sailing rig according to claim 9, wherein the holding means are straps, profile members or the like which are fastened to the cross strut.
 11. The sailing rig according to claim 1, wherein the mast strut is inclined in V-shape toward the cross strut.
 12. The sailing rig according to claim 1, wherein the sail is fixed at the struts.
 13. The sailing rig according to claim 1, wherein discharge openings are provided in the sail.
 14. The sailing rig according to claim 1, wherein the struts are formed by a bladder which is enclosed by a cover.
 15. A sailing rig set comprising a plurality of sailing rigs according to claim 1, wherein a height (H) of the cross strut is varied depending on the body size of the users. 